Air conditioner with modular makeup air assembly

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner unit includes a housing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. An outdoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the outdoor portion and an indoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the indoor portion. The air conditioner unit also includes a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger assembly and the indoor heat exchanger assembly to circulate a refrigerant therebetween. The air conditioner unit further includes a plenum attached to the housing. The plenum is receivable within a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axial direction. The air conditioner unit also includes a make-up air duct extending between the plenum and the indoor portion of the housing with a bracket fixed in place within the make-up air duct and a make-up air component slidably received in the bracket. The make-up air component is slidably removable from the bracket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to air conditioningappliances, and more particularly to makeup air assemblies for airconditioning appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air conditioner or air conditioning appliance units are conventionallyutilized to adjust the temperature within structures such as dwellingsand office buildings. In particular, one-unit type room air conditionerunits, such as single-package vertical units (SPVU), or package terminalair conditioners (PTAC) may be utilized to adjust the temperature in,for example, a single room or group of rooms of a structure. A typicalone-unit type air conditioner or air conditioning appliance includes anindoor portion and an outdoor portion. The indoor portion generallycommunicates (e.g., exchanges air) with the area within a building, andthe outdoor portion generally communicates (e.g., exchanges air) withthe area outside a building. Accordingly, the air conditioner unitgenerally extends through, for example, an outer wall of the structure.Generally, a fan may be operable to rotate to motivate air through theindoor portion. Another fan may be operable to rotate to motivate airthrough the outdoor portion. A sealed cooling system including acompressor is generally housed within the air conditioner unit to treat(e.g., cool or heat) air as it is circulated through, for example, theindoor portion of the air conditioner unit. One or more control boardsare typically provided to direct the operation of various elements ofthe particular air conditioner unit.

Make-up air, e.g., additional fresh air from outside of the building, istypically provided either with a large separate system remote from theair conditioner or with make-up air components internal to the airconditioner. Conventional separate systems can be costly. Conventionalinternal systems must be relatively small due to limited volume withinthe air conditioner, which may result in limited capacity of the make-upair system, e.g., limited size of the make-up air components. Thelimited volume may result in a limited number of fixed locations inwhich each component of the make-up air system may be positioned.

As a result, further improvements to air conditioners may beadvantageous. In particular, it would be useful to provide a make-up airsystem with components that can be quickly and easily removed orreplaced and/or where the position or size of the make-up air componentsare readily changed in the design of the make-up air system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditionerunit is provided. The air conditioner unit defines amutually-perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, andtransverse direction. The air conditioner unit includes a housing thatdefines an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. An outdoor heatexchanger assembly is disposed in the outdoor portion. The outdoor heatexchanger assembly includes an outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoorfan. An indoor heat exchanger assembly is disposed in the indoorportion. The indoor heat exchanger assembly includes an indoor heatexchanger and an indoor fan. A compressor is in fluid communication withthe outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate arefrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heatexchanger. A plenum is attached to the housing. The plenum is receivablewithin a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axialdirection. The air conditioner unit also includes a make-up air ductextending between the plenum and the indoor portion of the housing. Aplurality of brackets are fixed in place within the make-up air duct.The air conditioner unit further includes a plurality of make-up aircomponents. Each make-up air component of the plurality of make-up aircomponents is slidably received in one corresponding bracket of theplurality of brackets. The make-up air components are each removablefrom the corresponding bracket of the plurality of brackets.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an airconditioner unit is provided. The air conditioner unit includes ahousing defining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion. An outdoorheat exchanger assembly is disposed in the outdoor portion and includesan outdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan. An indoor heat exchangerassembly is disposed in the indoor portion and includes an indoor heatexchanger and an indoor fan. The air conditioner unit also includes acompressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heat exchanger andthe indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerant between the outdoorheat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger. The air conditioner unitfurther includes a plenum attached to the housing. The plenum isreceivable within a wall channel defined by a structure wall along anaxial direction. The air conditioner unit also includes a make-up airduct extending between the plenum and the indoor portion of the housingwith a bracket fixed in place within the make-up air duct and a make-upair component slidably received in the bracket. The make-up aircomponent is slidably removable from the bracket.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an air conditioner unit accordingto one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a section view of the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of a portion of a make-upair system according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure which may be incorporated into an air conditioner unit suchas the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides another exploded perspective view of a portion of amake-up air system according to one or more exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure which may be incorporated into an air conditionerunit such as the air conditioner unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the make-up air system withmake-up air components thereof received within a make-up air duct of themake-up air system.

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the make-up air system with acover installed on the make-up air duct.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of a plurality of brackets of themake-up air system.

FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of the plurality of brackets whereeach bracket has a make-up air component received therein.

FIG. 9 provides an enlarged perspective view of a damper of the make-upair system in a fully installed position.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of the damper in a closed position.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of the damper in an open position.

FIG. 12 provides a perspective view of an actuator of the damper whenthe damper is in the closed position.

FIG. 13 provides a perspective view of the actuator of the damper whenthe damper is in the open position.

FIG. 14 provides a view through a service window of the damper when thedamper is in the closed position.

FIG. 15 provides a view through the service window of the damper whenthe damper is in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope of theinvention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, theterm “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” isintended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “upstream” and“downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluidflow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flowdirection from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to theflow direction to which the fluid flows.

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally,” or “about”include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value.When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms includewithin ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction.For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degreesof vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary airconditioner appliance or air conditioner unit (e.g., air conditioner100). As shown, air conditioner 100 may be provided as a one-unit typeair conditioner 100, such as a single-package vertical unit. Airconditioner 100 includes a package housing 114 supporting an indoorportion 112 and an outdoor portion 110.

Generally, air conditioner 100 defines a vertical direction V, lateraldirection L, and transverse direction T. Each direction V, L, T ismutually perpendicular with every other direction, such that anorthogonal coordinate system is generally defined.

In some embodiments, housing 114 contains various other components ofthe air conditioner 100. Housing 114 may include, for example, a rearopening 116 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross) and afront opening 118 (e.g., with or without a grill or grate thereacross)may be spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T.The rear opening 116 may be part of the outdoor portion 110, while thefront opening 118 may be part of the indoor portion 112. Components ofthe outdoor portion 110, such as an outdoor heat exchanger 120, outdoorfan 124, and compressor 126 may be enclosed within housing 114 betweenfront opening 118 and rear opening 116. In certain embodiments, one ormore components are mounted on a base 136, as shown. The base 136 may bereceived on or within a drain pan 300.

During certain operations, air 1000 may be drawn to outdoor portion 110through rear opening 116. Specifically, an outdoor inlet 128 definedthrough housing 114 may receive outdoor air 1000 motivated by outdoorfan 124. Within housing 114, the received outdoor air 1000 may bemotivated through or across outdoor fan 124. Moreover, at least aportion of the outdoor air 1000 may be motivated through or acrossoutdoor heat exchanger 120 before exiting the rear opening 116 at anoutdoor outlet 130. It is noted that although outdoor inlet 128 isillustrated as being defined above outdoor outlet 130, alternativeembodiments may reverse this relative orientation (e.g., such thatoutdoor inlet 128 is defined below outdoor outlet 130) or provideoutdoor inlet 128 beside outdoor outlet 130 in a side-by-sideorientation, or another suitable orientation.

As shown, indoor portion 112 may include an indoor heat exchanger 122,and an indoor fan 142, e.g., a blower fan 142 as in the illustratedexample embodiment. These components may, for example, be housed behindthe front opening 118. A bulkhead may generally support or house variousother components or portions thereof of the indoor portion 112, such asthe blower fan 142. The bulkhead may generally separate and define theindoor portion 112 and outdoor portion 110 within housing 114.

During certain operations, air 1002 may be drawn to indoor portion 112through front opening 118. Specifically, an indoor inlet 138 definedthrough housing 114 may receive indoor air 1002 motivated by blower fan142. At least a portion of the indoor air 1002 may be motivated throughor across indoor heat exchanger 122 before passing to a duct 132. Theindoor air 1002 may be motivated (e.g., by fan 142) into and through theduct 132 and returned to the indoor area of the room through an indooroutlet 140 defined through housing 114 (e.g., above indoor inlet 138along the vertical direction V). Optionally, one or more conduits (notpictured) may be mounted on or downstream from indoor outlet 140 tofurther guide air 1002 from air conditioner 100. It is noted thatalthough indoor outlet 140 is illustrated as generally directing airupward, it is understood that indoor outlet 140 may be defined inalternative embodiments to direct air in any other suitable direction.

Outdoor and indoor heat exchangers 120, 122 may be components of athermodynamic assembly (i.e., sealed system), which may be operated as arefrigeration assembly (and thus perform a refrigeration cycle) or, inthe case of the heat pump unit embodiment, a heat pump (and thus performa heat pump cycle). Thus, as is understood, exemplary heat pump unitembodiments may be selectively operated to perform a refrigeration cycleat certain instances (e.g., while in a cooling mode) and a heat pumpcycle at other instances (e.g., while in a heating mode). By contrast,exemplary A/C exclusive unit embodiments may be unable to perform a heatpump cycle (e.g., while in the heating mode), but still perform arefrigeration cycle (e.g., while in a cooling mode).

The sealed system may, for example, further include compressor 126(e.g., mounted on base 136) and an expansion device (e.g., expansionvalve or capillary tube—not pictured), both of which may be in fluidcommunication with the heat exchangers 120, 122 to flow refrigeranttherethrough, as is generally understood. The outdoor and indoor heatexchangers 120, 122 may each include coils 146, 148, as illustrated,through which a refrigerant may flow for heat exchange purposes, as isgenerally understood.

A plenum 200 may be provided to direct air to or from housing 114. Wheninstalled, plenum 200 may be selectively attached to (e.g., fixed to ormounted against) housing 114 (e.g., via a suitable mechanical fastener,adhesive, gasket, etc.) and extend through a structure wall 150 (e.g.,an outer wall of the structure within which air conditioner 100 isinstalled) and above a floor 151. In particular, plenum 200 extendsalong an axial direction X (e.g., parallel to the transverse directionT) through a hole or channel 152 in the structure wall 150 that passesfrom an internal surface 154 to an external surface 156. Optionally, acaulk bead 252 (i.e., adhesive or sealant caulk) may be provided to jointhe plenum 200 to the external surface 156 of structure wall 150 (e.g.,about or outside from wall channel 152).

The plenum 200 includes a duct wall 212 that is formed about the axialdirection X (e.g., when mounted through wall channel 152). Duct wall 212may be formed according to any suitable hollow shape, such as conduithaving a rectangular profile (shown), defining an air channel 210 toguide air therethrough. Moreover, duct wall 212 may be formed from anysuitable non-permeable material (e.g., steel, aluminum, or a suitablepolymer) for directing or guiding air therethrough. In certainembodiments, plenum 200 further includes an outer flange 220 thatextends in a radial direction (e.g., perpendicular to the axialdirection X) from duct wall 212. Specifically, outer flange 220 mayextend radially outward (e.g., away from at least a portion of the axialdirection X or the duct wall 212).

In some embodiments, plenum 200 includes a divider wall 256 within airchannel 210. When assembled, divider wall 256 defines a separate upperpassage 258 and lower passage 260. For instance, divider wall 256 mayextend along the lateral direction L from one lateral side of plenum 200to the other lateral side. Generally, upper passage 258 and lowerpassage 260 may divide or define two discrete air flow paths for airchannel 210. When assembled, upper passage 258 and lower passage 260 maybe fluidly isolated by divider wall 256 (e.g., such that air isprevented from passing directly between passages 258 and 260 throughdivider wall 256, or another portion of plenum 200). Upper passage 258may be positioned upstream from outdoor inlet 128. Lower passage 260 maybe positioned downstream from outdoor outlet 130.

The plenum 200 may further include a second divider wall 257 whichseparates a make-up air passage 262 from the remainder of the airchannel 210, such as from the upper passage 258 and the lower passage260. For example, the make-up air passage 262 may be positioned directlyabove the upper passage 258, whereby the second divider separates andpartially defines the make-up air passage 262 and the upper passage 258,e.g., as in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2. Similar tothe divider wall 256 described above, the second divider wall 257 mayextend along the lateral direction L from one lateral side of plenum 200to the other lateral side. The make-up air passage 262 may therebydefine a discrete air flow path within air channel 210 which is separateand distinct from the upper and lower passages 258 and 260. Whenassembled, the make-up air passage 262 may be fluidly isolated by thesecond divider wall 257 from one or both of the upper passage 258 andlower passage 260, e.g., such that air is prevented from passingdirectly between the make-up air passage 262 and the upper and lowerpassages 258 and 260 through the second divider wall 257, or any otherportion of plenum 200). The make-up air passage 262 may be positionedupstream from a make-up air duct 400. In some embodiments, outdoor air1000 may be drawn into the make-up air duct 400 by a make-up air fan,e.g., muffin fan 406 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4), via the make-up airpassage 262. The make-up air duct 400 may extend from a first end 402 atthe make-up air passage 262 of the plenum 200 to a second end 404 at theindoor portion 112 of the housing 114, e.g., upstream of the indoorinlet 138, whereby outdoor air, e.g., make-up air, may be provideddirectly to the indoor portion 112 of the air conditioner 100 via themake-up air duct 400. Thus, the make-up air duct 400 may be a componentof a make-up air system or make-up air assembly, which will be describedin more detail below.

The operation of air conditioner 100 including compressor 126 (and thusthe sealed system generally), indoor fan 142, outdoor fan 124, and othersuitable components may be controlled by a control board or controller158. Controller 158 may be in communication (via for example a suitablewired or wireless connection) to such components of the air conditioner100. By way of example, the controller 158 may include a memory and oneor more processing devices such as microprocessors, CPUs or the like,such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to executeprogramming instructions or micro-control code associated with operationof air conditioner 100. The memory may be a separate component from theprocessor or may be included onboard within the processor. The memorymay represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memorysuch as ROM or FLASH.

Air conditioner 100 may additionally include a control panel 160(FIG. 1) and one or more user inputs 162, which may be included incontrol panel 160. The user inputs 162 may be in communication with thecontroller 158. A user of the air conditioner 100 may interact with theuser inputs 162 to operate the air conditioner 100, and user commandsmay be transmitted between the user inputs 162 and controller 158 tofacilitate operation of the air conditioner 100 based on such usercommands. A display 164 may additionally be provided in the controlpanel 160, and may be in communication with the controller 158. Display164 may, for example be a touchscreen or other text-readable displayscreen, or alternatively may simply be a light that can be activated anddeactivated as required to provide an indication of, for example, anevent or setting for the air conditioner 100.

Also as may be seen in FIG. 2, in some instances when the plenum 200 isinstalled within the wall 150 above the floor 151, the remainder of theair conditioner unit 100 may be suspended or cantilevered from theplenum 200. In order to avoid such cantilever, one or more support legs307 and/or 308 may be provided between the drain pan 300 and the floor151, whereby at least some of the weight of the remaining components ofthe air conditioner unit 100 is shifted off of the plenum 200. Where theinstallation height of the plenum 200 above the floor 151 varies, therequired height of the leg(s) 307 and/or 308 will also vary. Thus, theleg(s) 307 and/or 308 may be cut in the field and custom-fitted to thespecific installation.

The drain pan 300 may include one or more sockets which are configuredto receive the leg(s) 307 and/or 308. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the drain pan 300 may include a first socket 301 and a secondsocket 302. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the socket(s) 301 and/or 302 maybe positioned opposite the plenum 200 along the transverse direction T.For example, the plenum 200 may be positioned at a first transverse endof the drain pan 300 and the socket(s) 301/302 may be positionedopposite the plenum 200 at or near a second transverse end of the drainpan 300. Also as may be seen in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the drainpan 300 may also or instead include one or more of the sockets 301and/or 302 at the other end of the pan 300, e.g., proximate the plenum200. In various embodiments, one or both of the sockets 301 and 302 maybe provided. In some embodiments, each socket 301 and 302 may be one ofa pair of matching shaped sockets which are spaced apart along thelateral direction L and aligned along the transverse direction T.

The material for the leg(s) 307 and/or 308 may be any suitable materialwhich is strong enough to bear the weight of the housing 114 and drainpan 300. For example, materials which are likely to be readily availableduring installation of the air conditioner unit and which can besuitable for forming the leg(s) 307 and/or 308 include buildingmaterials such as lumber, e.g., dimensional lumber such as a nominaltwo-inch-by-four-inch board, commonly referred to as a two-by-four, orplumbing, e.g., PVC piping having sufficient size (e.g., outer diameter,wall thickness, etc.). Thus, in some embodiments, the socket, e.g.,first socket 301, may have a rectangular cross-section and may therebybe configured to receive a leg 307 made of lumber, such as a two-by-fourleg, a two-by-six leg, or a four-by-four leg, etc. Additionally, in someembodiments, the socket, e.g., the second socket 302, may be cylindricaland may thereby be configured to receive a round, e.g., cylindrical, leg308, such as a piece of piping, e.g., a PVC pipe as mentioned above, or,as another example, a steel pipe or other tubular or solid round leg308.

As mentioned above, the air conditioner 100 may include a make-up airassembly. Portions of the make-up air assembly according to one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated in variousperspective views in FIGS. 3 through 8. For example, FIGS. 3 and 4provide perspective views of portions of the make-up air duct 400 with aplurality of make-up air components, e.g., a muffin fan 406, a damper408, and a filter 410, and a pair of covers 416 and 418. Only the outerframe of the muffin fan 406 is illustrated, in order to depict themanner in which the fan 406 fits within and interacts with the duct 400,cover 416, and a corresponding bracket 420 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8regarding the brackets 420). Internal components of the fan 406, e.g.,blades and a motor, the structure and function of which are wellunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art, are omitted for thesake of clarity. Additionally, it should be understood that the muffinfan 406, the damper 408, and the filter 410 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4are by way of example only. In various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the plurality of make-up air components may include any twoor more of the illustrated components, such as multiples of the samecomponent, e.g., two or more fans 406 (such as multiple fans in series),separately or in combination with one or more of the other exemplarymake-up air components shown in the accompanying FIGS. and describedherein.

As will be explained in more detail below, the make-up air assembly maybe modular, e.g., in that one or more of the make-up air components 406,408, and/or 410 may be slidably received within the make-up air duct 400and a corresponding bracket or brackets 420 therein, and may beremovable therefrom, such as removable without undoing any mechanicalfasteners such as screws or bolts etc., and/or without releasing anyretention clip, clamp or other connection. In some embodiments, themake-up air components may be inserted into the duct 400 and removedfrom the duct 400 through one or more openings in the duct 400, such asa first opening 412 through which the fan 406 and damper 408 areinserted and/or removed and a second opening 414 through which thefilter 410 is inserted and/or removed. For example, the one or moremake-up air components 406, 408, and/or 410 may be unconstrained by theduct 400 and bracket(s) 420 in at least one direction of movement, e.g.,upwards along the vertical direction V, for insertion and/or removal ofthe component into and out of the duct 400 and bracket 420. For example,in some embodiments, all of the make-up air components, e.g., all threeof the fan 406, damper 408, and filter 410, may be slidably received ina corresponding bracket 420 (e.g., with a one-to-one correspondencebetween components and brackets, one component in each bracket and onebracket for each component) and may be removable therefrom. For example,FIG. 5 illustrates the make-up air components in an installed andremovable position, e.g., were the make-up air components are eachreceived within a corresponding bracket 420 within the duct 400 and areunconstrained by the duct 400 and brackets 420 against upward movementalong the vertical direction. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the make-up aircomponents may be fully enclosed and secured in place within the duct400 by the one or more covers, e.g., covers 416 and 418, over therespective one or more openings, e.g., openings 412 and 414.

Turning now to FIG. 7, portions, e.g., sides, of the duct 400 areremoved to more clearly illustrated the plurality of brackets 420therein. In various embodiments, the brackets 420 may be fixed in placewithin the make-up air duct 400, such as fixed to the duct 400, e.g.,bolted, riveted, and/or welded to the make-up air duct 400, or otherwisefixed to the duct 400. In some embodiments, the bracket 420 (or eachbracket 420 in embodiments with more than one bracket 420) may include aU-shaped body, e.g., defined by three walls of the bracket 420, such asa bottom wall 422 and a pair of side walls 424 and 426, as described inmore detail below. In such embodiments, each make-up air component maybe slidably received in the corresponding bracket 420 through an openside or opening 440 defined by the U-shaped body of the correspondingbracket 420. For example, the bracket 420 or each bracket 420 mayinclude a bottom wall 422, a first side wall 424 generally perpendicularto the bottom wall 422, a second side wall 426 generally parallel to thefirst side wall 424, and an open side 440. The open side 440 of thebracket 420 may be defined opposite the bottom wall 422 of the bracket420 and between the first side wall 424 and the second side wall 426. Insuch embodiments, when the make-up air components 406, 408, and 410 arereceived within the respective brackets 420, e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 8, each make-up air component is positioned between the bottom wall422, the first side wall 424, and the second side wall 426 of thecorresponding bracket 420, whereby each make-up air component isremovable from the corresponding bracket 420 through the open side 440of the corresponding bracket 420.

In some embodiments, each bracket 420 of the plurality of brackets 420includes a bottom wall 422 extending generally perpendicular to thevertical direction V, a first side wall 424 extending generallyperpendicular to the bottom wall 422, a second side wall 426 extendinggenerally perpendicular to the bottom wall 422 and generally parallel tothe first side wall 424, e.g., the first and second side walls 424 and426 may extend generally along the vertical direction V. Each bracket420 may also include at least one front lip 428 extending generallyperpendicularly from a front edge of at least one of the bottom wall422, the first side wall 424, and/or the second side wall 426, and aback lip 432 extending generally perpendicularly from a back edge of oneof the walls 422, 424, 426, e.g., the same wall as the front lip 428 insome embodiments or a different one of the walls 422, 424, 426 in otherembodiments. Thus, when the make-up air components 406, 408, and 410 arereceived within the brackets 420 (and the cover or covers 416 and 418are not installed on the duct 400), e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 8, eachmake-up air component, e.g., each of the fan 406, damper 408, and filter410, is constrained within and by the corresponding bracket 420 alongthe lateral direction L by the first side wall 424 and the second sidewall 426 of the corresponding bracket 420 and along the transversedirection T by the front lip 428 and the back lip 430 of thecorresponding bracket 420. As mentioned above, each make-up aircomponent is not constrained by the bracket 420 in at least onedirection generally parallel to the vertical direction V, such as upwardalong the vertical direction V.

In some embodiments, the first side wall 424 of each bracket 420 mayextend upward along the vertical direction V from a first end 442 of thebottom wall 422 of the bracket 420 and the second side wall 426 of thebracket 420 may extend upward along the vertical direction V from asecond end 444 (FIG. 4) of the bottom wall 422 of the bracket 420opposite the first end 442 of the bottom wall 422 of the bracket 420.

As mentioned above, the bracket 420 (or each bracket 420 in embodimentswhere multiple brackets 420 are provided) may include at least one frontlip and at least one back lip. In some embodiments, the bracket 420 mayinclude a first front lip 428 extending along the lateral direction Lfrom the first side wall 424 towards the second side wall 426, a firstback lip 430 extending along the lateral direction L from the first sidewall 424 towards the second side wall 426, a second front lip 436extending along the lateral direction L from the second side wall 426towards the first side wall 424, a second back lip 438 extending alongthe lateral direction L from the second side wall 426 towards the firstside wall 424, a third front lip 432 extending from the bottom wall 422,e.g., upwards along the vertical direction V, between the first sidewall 424 and the second side wall 426, and a third back lip 434extending from the bottom wall 422, e.g., upwards along the verticaldirection V, between the first side wall 424 and the second side wall426.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the damper 408 mayinclude an actuator 454 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12 and 13) enclosed within ahousing 450. When the damper 408 is installed within the correspondingbracket 420 and held in place within the duct 400 and bracket 420 by thecover 416, the housing 450 may extend through the cover 416, e.g. abovethe cover 416 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, the housing 450 may bevisible when the damper 408 is fully installed within the duct 400. Thehousing 450 may also include a service window 452 which may beconfigured to provide a visual indication of a status, e.g., open orclosed, of the damper 408 when the damper 408 is in the fully installedposition.

FIG. 10 provides a perspective illustration of an exemplary damper 408in a closed position. FIG. 11 provides a similar view of the exemplarydamper 408 in an open position. FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective viewof the exemplary damper 408 with the housing 450 removed to more clearlydepict an actuator 454, which in this example embodiment is a motorizedactuator comprising a motor that drives a worm gear to rotate apartially circular gear coupled to a blade of the damper 408 to move,e.g., rotate, the blade between the closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 10)and the open position (see, e.g., FIG. 11). FIG. 13 illustrates aperspective view of the actuator 454 in an open position. As may be seenfrom FIGS. 12 and 13, the actuator 454 includes a flat face 456 and theflat face 456 is oriented generally along a first direction, e.g., thelateral direction L, when the damper 408 is in the closed position (see,e.g., FIGS. 10 and 12) and is oriented generally along a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction, e.g., the transversedirection T, when the damper 408 is in the open position (see, e.g.,FIGS. 11 and 13).

Turning now to FIGS. 14 and 15, FIG. 14 provides a view through theservice window 452 when the damper 408 is in the closed position andFIG. 15 provides a view through the service window 452 when the damper408 is in the open position. As may be seen by comparing FIGS. 14 and15, a portion of the motorized actuator 454, e.g., including the flatface 456, is aligned with the service window 452 such that the positionof the damper 408 may be visually ascertained through the service window452. For example, when the damper 408 is in the closed position, theflat face 456 faces the service window 452 and may be directly seenthrough the service window 452, as illustrated in FIG. 14. In suchexample embodiments, when the damper 408 is in the open position theflat face 456 faces away from the service window 452, such that only anedge of the flat face 456 may be seen through the service window 452,e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 15, or, in additional embodiments, the flatface 456 may not be visible through the service window 452 at all whenthe damper 408 is in the open position. Thus, by looking through theservice window 452, it may be ascertained whether the damper 408 is inthe open position or in the closed position based on whether or to whatextend the flat face 456 of the actuator 454 is visible through theservice window 452.

The make-up air assembly of the present disclosure provides numerousadvantages as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.For example, the make-up air assembly may be easily repaired ormaintained, such as by replacing the filter 410 simply by removing thesecond cover 418, sliding the old or clogged filter 410 out, sliding anew filter 410 in, and then reattaching the cover 418 to the duct 400over the opening 414. As another example the damper 408 and/or fan 406may similarly be accessed for repair or replacement by removing thecover 416, etc. For yet another example of such advantages of thepresent modular make-up air system, the system may also provide reducedcost of manufacturing and greater design flexibility. For example, thesize or location of one or more of the make-up air components may beredesigned (or components may be added to or removed from the design)and the only further change to accommodate such redesign may be tochange the corresponding bracket, without having to make any changes tothe design of the duct 400 or any other component of the make-up airassembly.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioner unit defining amutually-perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, andtransverse direction, the air conditioner unit comprising: a housingdefining an outdoor portion and an indoor portion; an outdoor heatexchanger assembly disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising anoutdoor heat exchanger and an outdoor fan; an indoor heat exchangerassembly disposed in the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heatexchanger and an indoor fan; a compressor in fluid communication withthe outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate arefrigerant between the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heatexchanger; a plenum attached to the housing, the plenum receivablewithin a wall channel defined by a structure wall along an axialdirection; a make-up air duct extending between the plenum and theindoor portion of the housing; a plurality of brackets fixed in placewithin the make-up air duct; and a plurality of make-up air components,each make-up air component of the plurality of make-up air componentsslidably received in one corresponding bracket of the plurality ofbrackets, wherein the make-up air components are each removable from thecorresponding bracket of the plurality of brackets.
 2. The airconditioner unit of claim 1, wherein each bracket of the plurality ofbrackets comprises a bottom wall extending generally perpendicular tothe vertical direction, a first side wall extending generallyperpendicular to the bottom wall, a second side wall extending generallyperpendicular to the bottom wall, a front lip extending generallyperpendicularly from one of the bottom wall, the first side wall, andthe second side wall, and a back lip extending generally perpendicularlyfrom one of the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second sidewall, whereby each make-up air component is constrained within and bythe corresponding bracket along the lateral direction by the first sidewall and the second side wall of the corresponding bracket and along thetransverse direction by the front lip and the back lip of thecorresponding bracket, and each make-up air component is not constrainedby the bracket in at least one direction generally parallel to thevertical direction.
 3. The air conditioner unit of claim 2, wherein thefirst side wall of each bracket extends upward along the verticaldirection from a first end of the bottom wall of the bracket and thesecond side wall of the bracket extends upward along the verticaldirection from a second end of the bottom wall of the bracket oppositethe first end of the bottom wall of the bracket.
 4. The air conditionerunit of claim 2, wherein the front lip extends generally perpendicularlyfrom one of the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second sidewall at a front edge of the one of the bottom wall, the first side wall,and the second side wall, and wherein the back lip extends generallyperpendicularly from the one of the bottom wall, the first side wall,and the second side wall at a back edge of the one of the bottom wall,the first side wall, and the second side wall opposite the front edge ofthe one of the bottom wall, the first side wall, and the second sidewall.
 5. The air conditioner unit of claim 2, wherein the front lip is afirst front lip extending along the lateral direction from the firstside wall towards the second side wall, the back lip is a first back lipextending along the lateral direction from the first side wall towardsthe second side wall, further comprising a second front lip extendingalong the lateral direction from the second side wall towards the firstside wall, a second back lip extending along the lateral direction fromthe second side wall towards the first side wall, a third front lipextending from the bottom wall between the first side wall and thesecond side wall, and a third back lip extending from the bottom wallbetween the first side wall and the second side wall.
 6. The airconditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the make-up air duct comprises anopening, the plurality of make-up air components slidably receivable inand removable from the plurality of brackets through the opening,further comprising a cover removably attached to the make-up air duct atthe opening, whereby the plurality of make-up air components are held inplace within the make-up air duct at least in part by the cover.
 7. Theair conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein each bracket of the pluralityof brackets comprises a U-shaped body and wherein each make-up aircomponent of the plurality of make-up air components is slidablyreceived in the corresponding bracket of the plurality of bracketsthrough an opening defined by the U-shaped body of the correspondingbracket.
 8. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein each bracket ofthe plurality of brackets comprises a bottom wall, a first side wallgenerally perpendicular to the bottom wall, a second side wall generallyparallel to the first side wall, and an open side defined opposite thebottom wall and between the first side wall and the second side wall,wherein each make-up air component is positioned between the bottomwall, the first side wall, and the second side wall of the correspondingbracket, whereby each make-up air component is removable from thecorresponding bracket through the open side of the correspondingbracket.
 9. The air conditioner unit of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof make-up air components comprises at least one fan, a filter, and adamper.
 10. The air conditioner unit of claim 9, wherein the damper iscoupled to a motorized actuator, the motorized actuator enclosed withina housing, and the housing comprises a service window, wherein a portionof the motorized actuator is aligned with the service window whereby aposition of the damper may be visually ascertained through the servicewindow.
 11. An air conditioner unit, comprising: a housing defining anoutdoor portion and an indoor portion; an outdoor heat exchangerassembly disposed in the outdoor portion and comprising an outdoor heatexchanger and an outdoor fan; an indoor heat exchanger assembly disposedin the indoor portion and comprising an indoor heat exchanger and anindoor fan; a compressor in fluid communication with the outdoor heatexchanger and the indoor heat exchanger to circulate a refrigerantbetween the outdoor heat exchanger and the indoor heat exchanger; aplenum attached to the housing, the plenum receivable within a wallchannel defined by a structure wall along an axial direction; a make-upair duct extending between the plenum and the indoor portion of thehousing; a bracket fixed in place within the make-up air duct; and amake-up air component slidably received in the bracket, wherein themake-up air component is slidably removable from the bracket.
 12. Theair conditioner unit of claim 11, wherein the bracket comprises a bottomwall, a first side wall extending generally perpendicular to the bottomwall, a second side wall extending generally perpendicular to the bottomwall, a front lip extending generally perpendicularly from one of thebottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall, and a backlip extending generally perpendicularly from one of the bottom wall, thefirst side wall, and the second side wall, whereby the make-up aircomponent is constrained within and by the bracket along a firstdirection by the first side wall and the second side wall of the bracketand along a second direction by the front lip and the back lip of thebracket, and the make-up air component is not constrained by the bracketin at least one direction generally parallel to the first side wall andthe second side wall.
 13. The air conditioner unit of claim 12, whereinthe first side wall of the bracket extends upward from a first end ofthe bottom wall of the bracket and the second side wall of the bracketextends upward from a second end of the bottom wall of the bracketopposite the first end of the bottom wall of the bracket.
 14. The airconditioner unit of claim 12, wherein the front lip extends generallyperpendicularly from one of the bottom wall, the first side wall, andthe second side wall at a front edge of the one wall, and wherein theback lip extends generally perpendicularly from the one wall at a backedge of the one wall opposite the front edge of the one wall.
 15. Theair conditioner unit of claim 12, wherein the front lip is a first frontlip extending from the first side wall towards the second side wall, theback lip is a first back lip extending from the first side wall towardsthe second side wall, further comprising a second front lip extendingfrom the second side wall towards the first side wall, a second back lipextending from the second side wall towards the first side wall, a thirdfront lip extending from the bottom wall between the first side wall andthe second side wall, and a third back lip extending from the bottomwall between the first side wall and the second side wall.
 16. The airconditioner unit of claim 11, wherein the make-up air duct comprises anopening, the make-up air component is slidably receivable in andremovable from the bracket through the opening, further comprising acover removably attached to the make-up air duct at the opening, wherebythe make-up air component is held in place within the make-up air ductat least in part by the cover.
 17. The air conditioner unit of claim 11,wherein the bracket comprises a U-shaped body and wherein the make-upair component is slidably received in the bracket through an openingdefined by the U-shaped body of the bracket.
 18. The air conditionerunit of claim 11, wherein the bracket comprises a bottom wall, a firstside wall generally perpendicular to the bottom wall, a second side wallgenerally parallel to the first side wall, and an open side definedopposite the bottom wall and between the first side wall and the secondside wall, wherein the make-up air component is positioned between thebottom wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall of thebracket, whereby the make-up air component is removable from the bracketthrough the open side of the bracket.
 19. The air conditioner unit ofclaim 11, wherein the make-up air component is a damper.
 20. The airconditioner unit of claim 19, wherein the damper is coupled to amotorized actuator, the motorized actuator enclosed within a housing,and the housing comprises a service window, wherein a portion of themotorized actuator is aligned with the service window whereby a positionof the damper may be visually ascertained through the service window.